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2020-12-31-accounts

SOUTH WEST CHESHIRE DISTRICT SCOUT COUNCIL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

MAY 14[th] 2021

On Line

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AGENDA

Annual General Meeting

South West Cheshire Scout Council

May 14th 2021

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DISTRICT OFFICERS 2020

Life President
Mr P F Taylor
President
Vacant
Vice Presidents
Mr R Ellwood, Mr P Kent, Mr R Stafford
Office Holders
Chairperson
Mr R Chaplow
Treasurer
Mr R Bennett
Secretary
Mr J Bennett
District Executive Committee
Ex-officio
Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
District Commissioner
Deputy District Commissioner
District Explorer Scout Commissioner
District Network Scout Commissioner
District Youth Commissioner
Elected Members
Mr A Whalley
(to 2022)
Mrs M Norbury
(to 2023)
Mrs C Wainwright
(to 2023)
Mr J Barlow (to 2021)
Ms P Wood (to 2021)
Mr D Brough (to 2023)
Nominated Members
Mr M Rowe
Mrs L Gamble
Mrs H Dorney
Ms D Blurton
Co-opted Member
Mr C Shore Camp Site Chair
County Scout Council Members
Mr R Bracey, Mr J Whittingham
District ChaplainVacant
Registered Charity No: 506895
Scout Association Registered No:
10808		 District Commissioner
Mr I Potts
Deputy District Commissioner
Mr J Statham
District Explorer Scout Commissioner
Ms I Shaw
District Explorer Scout Administrator
Mrs C Wainwright
District Young Leader Unit Manager
Ms D Blurton
District Scout Network Commissioner
Mr W Swain
District Youth Commissioners
Miss H Faulkner
Assistant District Commissioners
Beaver Scouts
Miss S Fearn
Beaver Scouts Mr L Potts
Cub Scouts
Mrs J Carlin
Cub Scouts
Mr N Tomlinson
Scouts
Mr T Clark
Scouts Mrs L Grasmeder
Activities
Mr R Galloway
General Duties
Vacant
Development Vacant
SAS Manager
Mr J Wedgwood
Local Training Manager
Adult Training
Mrs J Taylor,

Chair Appointments Sub Committee
Mrs J Wilkinson
District Scouters
Mr A Collett, Mr B Westwood,
Mrs J Shore, Mr C Spicer, Mrs A Bourke,
Mrs M Norbury, Mr D Selley
District Advisers
Archery
Ms D Blurton
Mountaineering
Vacant
Shooting
Mr A Brookes
Sailing
Mr I Brown
Canoeing
Mr A Sutton
DOE Scheme
Mrs R Edwards
Swimming Mr R Binner

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South West Cheshire District Scout Council

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting Held on 12[th] June 2020 Online Via Microsoft Teams

1.0 Welcome

The District Commissioner, Ian Potts, took the Chair. There were 42 members and 1 guest present.

Ian opened the meeting by welcoming all those present, particularly the County Commissioner Graham Phillips.

Ian announced that his nomination for District Chair was Dane Chaplow. Dane then took the chair for the remainder of the meeting. He began by asking those present to take a moment to reflect on those members and supporters of South West Cheshire Scout Council who had “Gone Home” since the 2019 AGM: Leena Broadhead, Bob Keegan, Brenda Roberts, Geoff Hall and Kay Bennett.

2.0 Apologies

Apologies had been received from Craig Chaplow, Janet and Brian Jones, Ian and Sylvia Sowerby, Pete and Peg Taylor, Steve Bullock, John Whittingham, Helen Dorney and Cheryl Hamlyn

3.0 Minutes of AGM held on 5[th] April 2019

Proposed, seconded and accepted as a true record.

4.0 Reports

The Annual District Report for 2019 was considered by the meeting. Each contributor was invited to comment. The Report was accepted with special thanks from the Chair to all contributors for their efforts during the past year.

Appointments

The report was accepted, and no questions were raised.

Secretary

Nothing to add to the report, no questions were raised.

Beavers

The report was accepted, no questions were raised. Dane thanked the Beaver team for their report and asked that his thanks be conveyed to all Beaver leaders for their work.

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Cub Scouts

Again, no questions were raised by the attendees and Dane asked for thanks to be passed to all Cub Leaders for their work.

Scouts

The report was accepted, no questions were raised. Dane thanked Lise and Rob for their hard work during the year.

Explorer and Network

Nothing to add to the reports which were accepted.

Milldale

Carl thanked everyone for their input and support, a lot of hard work on the site had been achieved.

Dane also thanked the Milldale team for their efforts and stated that in Milldale the district had a fantastic facility.

Activities

Sailing

The report was accepted Carl commented on the successful taster sessions run during the year.

Canoeing

The report was accepted.

Shooting

Given the huge success of Shooting in the district he recommended the use of the facilities at Milldale to all sections.

The DC commented on the need for additional instructors across the whole field of activities. Any offers of help please direct them to the DC.

Swimming

The report was accepted, Dane thanked Janet and Brian for their continuing work with the swimming section.

Scout Shop

The report was accepted, Dane thanked everyone involved in the shop for the excellent work and reminded everyone that the income from the shop helps to sustain the district financially, without it the District Levy would increase. Please continue to use the shop.

The meeting approved the annual report.

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5.0 Financial Report

6.0 Election of District Secretary

7.0 Election of District Treasurer

Richard Bennett was nominated and confirmed as District Treasurer.

8.0 Election of Members of the District Scout Council to the District Executive Committee.

Marilyn Norbury, Cathie Wainwright and David Brough were elected to the District Executive.

9.0 Approval of the District Commissioner’s nomination of Members of the District Scout Council to serve on the District Executive Committee.

Ian Potts nominated the following:

Beavers: Mark Rowe

Cubs: Helen Dorney

Scouts: Lisa Gamble

Explorers & Young Leaders: Diane Blurton

10.0 Election of two Members of the District Scout Council for nomination to the County Scout Council.

Roger Bracey and John Whittingham were both willing to continue in this role, the meeting agreed to this.

11.0 District Commissioner

Reviewing the annual report, it is clear that 2019 was an interesting year for our young people. Our groups continued to provide a varied programme of activity that resulted in almost 250 Chief Scouts Awards being presented. They also worked with their Young Leaders, supported by the District team, resulting in 12 of them achieving their Belt Buckles. None of it would have been possible without the dedication of their leaders, many of whom go above and beyond every week.

I would like to congratulate those Leaders who received an award for their contribution to Scouting in the District last year and to all those young people who achieved their top awards.

My personal highlights from the year were the Beaver Family Sports and Fun Day in September, enjoyed by Beavers and their parents equally, the Cub Craft

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Competition where I am always impressed by the imagination and skill of the Cubs who take part, and Monopoly Live where we always get good feedback from the public on the behaviour of the Scouts and Explorers as they walk around town engaged in activities.

During 2019 the Appointments team worked hard to get 36 new adult volunteers through the appointments process, to complete DBS checks for adults in District role and support groups in this process for their Leaders. Our new LTMs have settled into their roles, providing valuable support to adults as they progress in their Scouting lives.

Last year four of our sectional ADCs finished in their roles and one of the District Youth Commissioners stepped down. I would like to thank Mel Dunn, Roger and Gaynor Bracey, Rob Galloway and Caroline Grasmeder for everything they brought to the District in their roles. Rob has agreed to take on the vacant ADC Activities role and I wish him and the new ADCs for Beavers, Cubs and Scouts, Steph, Liam, Neil, Jenny and Tim well for the future. I also want to formally welcome John Statham to the team as Deputy District Commissioner.

We were hoping to have a presentation by members of the WSJ contingent but this will now be done when we are able to get together face to face, hopefully later in the year.

I have a request regarding the Scout Shop. It is an important source of funding for the District, and I would ask that all groups wait until the Shop is able to fulfil orders and not order online (although it is likely that orders placed online will not be fulfilled at the moment).

Each year I have been DC I have had priorities for what I wanted to achieve and each year has brought a set of unexpected challenges and opportunities. This year had been no exception, and then the Coronavirus pandemic started and face to face Scouting stopped. Since 17[th] March our world has been turned on its head and yet Scouting has continued. We have had to adapt quickly and do things in a way we never envisaged. Many of us have been busier than ever with Scouting and have learnt new skills to enable us to continue delivering activities to our young people. I am proud to say that every young person in every section in every group and unit has had the opportunity to be involved in Scouting activities since the lockdown started, whether via on-line meetings or activities sent out in emails. Executive Committee members, at a District and Group level, have assessed their individual and collective positions and made decisions appropriate for them to be able to continue to deliver Scouting once we are able to meet face to face again. Many parents have had challenges managing work, home-schooling and keeping children occupied when they can’t see their friends and I have had lots of feedback

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on how important Scouting has been both in terms of giving them something to do and giving them a sense of normality which helps with their mental wellbeing.

There will continue to be challenges ahead but we are ready to respond whatever happens. I would like to thank all of our adult volunteers for everything they have done in the District during the last year and for everything they are continuing to do in these unusual times. We have proven over the last few months how well we can all pull together in difficult times and I’m sure this will continue once we get back to some sort of normality. I want to make a particular mention of those Leaders who are Key Workers. The challenges many of them have faced in the last few months have been huge and I want to thank them on behalf of everyone in South West Cheshire Scouts for everything they have done.

Many of you will know that I am not known for my optimism. I have often said that I am a glass completely empty sort of person. You will also know that I like to read the things that Lord Baden Powell has said and I recently came across this one: ‘Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.’

Looking back over last year and then at the last few weeks there are lots of things to be optimistic about.

12.0 The County Commissioner

Dane closed the meeting at 20.25. John Bennett

District Secretary, South West Cheshire Scouts. June 2020

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ANNUAL REPORT 2020

DISTRICT SECRETARY’S REPORT

The District Executive met on four occasions in 2020/21, three of these meetings were held via Microsoft Teams. In addition the exec met monthly from April onwards on line to discuss all issues relating to Covid – 19.

Submission of the annual census return was completed on time. The submission of the district accounts and annual report to the Charity Commission was also completed on schedule.

A major piece of work was completed to ensure the accuracy of the District Email circulation list. That list is GDPR compliant and updated regularly.

The executive was pleased to note the number of awards presented during 2020 in South West Cheshire including:

Commissioners Commendation

Cathie Wainwright Bob Humphries John Bennett Susan Edwards Lisa Evans James Ollier Andy Whalley Rosemary Schofield Abi Woodcock

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It is with great sadness that we record the deaths, since the last AGM, of former stalwarts and supporters of Scouting in South West Cheshire:

Graham Cookson, Leslie Davidson, Kath Titley

CENSUS RETURN COMPARISON CENSUS RETURN COMPARISON CENSUS RETURN COMPARISON CENSUS RETURN COMPARISON CENSUS RETURN COMPARISON
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Groups 25 24 24 23 23 23 22
Beaver 432 404 416 429 390 385 255
Cub 492 466 480 497 456 427 301
Scout 428 453 400 412 413 422 371
Explorer 123 103 118 104 116 138 120
Network 27 105 102 90 26
Adults 335 414 500 564 612 513 505
Total 1810 1840 1941 2111 2089 1978 1578

* The Explorer figure includes members of the Explorer Young Leader Unit

John Bennett District Secretary

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DISTRICT APPOINTMENT TEAM’S REPORT

The Appointments Committee met on 6 occasions in 2020 – 2 “traditional” face-to-face meetings and 4 virtual meetings via Microsoft Teams.

Virtual meetings do have some advantages! We can, for example, interview students who may be away from home. In addition no-one has to leave the comfort of their home when it’s cold, dark and raining! We are likely to continue some virtual meetings in future after face-to-face contact is permitted once again.

A total of 34 Section leaders, Assistant Section Leaders and Sectional Assistants were appointed in 2020. The Committee also approved 7 Changes of Role and 3 Additional Roles.

Our Membership Secretary, Tim Owen, is in the process of handing over the role. His County Training role takes up far too much of his time and leaves little time for anything else. We thank Tim for his sterling work administering the Appointments process and chasing people for references! Cathie Wainwright, the incoming appointments secretary will have a hard act to follow! Tim will remain a member of the Appointments Committee.

My thanks go to all Committee members for their continued support. Not everyone was happy to meet virtually but will “rejoin” the team again when physical meetings are permitted.

We would also welcome younger members to the Committee. We are supposed to be representative of adult Scouting members, but we currently have only 1 Committee member who is under 40! You do not need to have a Wood Badge to be part of the Committee, and it would be nice to increase the “youthful face” of the interviewing panel for prospective new Leaders. Full training will of course be given.

Jen Wilkinson Appointments sub-committee chair

Tim Owen Appointments Secretary (retiring)

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BEAVER SCOUT SECTION REPORT

This has been a very different year to what we both had expected, but we would like to begin by thanking everyone who has supported Beavers throughout such a difficult period. We appreciate that the coronavirus has made scouting difficult and appreciate everybody who have worked hard to give the Beavers a fun and varied programme virtually.

Our celebration awards ceremony of the Chief Scouts Bronze Awards winners in 2019 was held at South Cheshire College South and West. This year we trialled a new format where we reviewed all the badges the Beavers had achieved to lead up to their Bronze award. This new format was well received and we hope to do similar in future ceremonies. In 2020, 72 Beaver Scouts across South West Cheshire were awarded their Chief Scouts Bronze award.

This year’s Beaver Challenge was at the 17th SWC scout hut. We had 7 teams of Beavers from across the district attend, taking part in ‘Skills of Life’ challenges. These included naming fruit/vegetables, identifying dangers around the home and stuffing sleeping bags against the clock. The winning team of Beavers were from the 17th SWC. Well done!

Unfortunately, our Beaver Family Camp was cancelled this year due to the coronavirus. Instead, we managed to offer a ‘virtual camp’ activity which provided Beaver’s the opportunity to partake in lots of fun and interesting activities at home. This was well received by those who took part and we cannot wait to be able to offer a face-to-face Family Camp again in the future.

Without the support of our Leaders, Young Leaders and parents, Beaver Scouts could not happen in South West Cheshire. Once again, we would like to thank you for helping the Beavers grow into influential young people. We hope that all Beavers will continue to have the opportunities to take part in exciting adventures and opportunities for the years to come and we look forward to being able to offer District events once more.

Thanks

Stephanie Fearn Liam Potts ADC Beavers

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CUB SCOUT SECTION REPORT

2020 was not the year any of us were expecting and certainly an unusual year to take over from Gaynor and Roger, who did a fantastic job providing fun district events and supporting the Cub Leader community.

On behalf of the Cubs and leaders we would like to take this opportunity say a massive BRAVO for all their work and achievements while being ADC’s.

In the 1[st] year of taking over as ADC’s we have held all our Leader meetings over Zoom. It has been great to catch up and share ideas and support each other as well as hear about all the great things Cub Leaders have achieved with their Cub packs, during what was a very challenging year for Scouting. We look forward to meeting up with Cubs Leaders face to face, as soon as the rules allow. However, in the meantime, we want to remind Leaders that we are only a call or email away if you need us.

Silver Awards

In February, Chief Scout’s Silver Award Certificates were presented by Pam Owen (Assistant County Commissioner Cubs) to 91 Cubs (46 of whom attended the evening) at Cheshire College (South and West) in Crewe.

Sixteen packs were represented: 1[st] 3[rd] 7[th] 14[th] 17[th] 18[th] 22[nd] 23[rd] 26[th] 30[th] 35[th] (R) 35[th] (S) 38[th] 39[th] 40[th] 41[st]

Again, the number of Silver Awards increased over the previous year. We would like to say well done to all the Cubs and their Leaders for all the hard work that has gone into achieving this, the highest award for Cubs, a fantastic achievement by all.

We would also like to thank Steph and Liam ADC Beavers for organising this event as we were only appointed a few days before.

Craft Competition

The District annual Craft Competition was held on Saturday 29[th] February we had 13 team enter from the 26[th] , 7[th] , 17[th] , 1[st] , 22[nd] , 3[rd] , 35[th] (R&S), 15[th] , 23[rd] , 38[th] , The event was a great success, and all the Cubs were a credit to their leaders. As always, the decision was not an easy one, but the winners were the 22[nd] (Audlem), sadly there was not a county competition for them to attend but they were a well-deserved winning team.

Scouting at home

Many packs have not stopped at all over the year and have had great times continuing scouting with great activities. Cubs have earned many badges during 2020 and this is a credit to the Cubs Leaders and parents.

Camping at home

It has been lovely to hear all the stories of Cub packs camping at home and carrying on regardless with their Cubs activities, we know many Cubs have had amazing times and the bonus for the leaders has been no wet tents or sleepless nights!

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Thanks

We would like to take this opportunity to say a massive thank-you to all leaders, young leaders and helpers for all the time and effort that went in to 2020. We know how much work normally goes into planning events and pack nights and 2020 was a challenging year which made things extra difficult - so thanks again for sticking with it!

Looking for to 2021

We know many leaders and Cubs are so looking forward to getting back out about and meeting up with friends. We are looking forward to meeting you all and supporting you with Cub Scouts. As soon as we get the green light, rest assured we will be putting on some district events. If you have any ideas for different events, please let us know.

Hope to see you soon.

Jenny Carlin Neil Tomlinson ADC Cubs

SCOUT SECTION REPORT

2020 started like any other year with many Troops enjoying their annual Winter Camps and regular Troop nights…., then March hit and all activities and face-2-face meetings ceased.

Many Scout Groups took to Zoom and continued Scouting in a virtual World which presented its own challenges for Leaders in terms of organising programmes and logistics.

The District Scout section set up a Facebook page to communicate with all Scout Troops within the District and to share ideas for virtual activities. Leaders were also encouraged to share ideas at the online ADC’s meetings.

Not all Scout Troops have been continuing the Scouting journey through this pandemic but the ones that have, have been holding virtual camps in several different forms.

Some Troops tried to keep a level of normality and celebrated St George’s Day, Remembrance Day and UK Parliament Week all in a virtual world.

A few Troops went back to face 2 face in the Summer and met outside in small numbers in accordance with Covid-19 regulations for the short period of time between lockdowns.

It’s been an exceptionally hard year to keep Scouts involved & interested as more of our activities have physical and practical elements when compared to the other Sections.

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In summing up, the year has been as much of a challenge to the Scouts to continue badgework etc as it has been to the Leaders & helpers who have strived to continue to provide a balanced programme that delivers skills for life – virtually!!

We’d like to say a MASSIVE THANKS to the Scout Leaders across the District for all their considerable time and effort during a very Challenging year.

Lise Grasmeder Tim Clark ADC Scouts

EXPLORER REPORT

Considering what an awful year it has been the numbers of Explorer members has remained surprisingly good with only a loss of 15 (17%) Explorers across the units, with Shipton increasing their numbers by 5 (20%).

Mallory and Fiennes have been holding joint zoom meetings and intend to join forces temporarily when we resume face to face as both are now struggling with lack of leaders.

Shipton have been running regular zoom meetings and have also completed some face to face outdoor meetings during the last lockdown easing.

Drake too have been holding regular zoom meetings and are hoping to start face to face outdoors as soon as the current lockdown eases.

Wilson have had little communication with their Explorers since the first lockdown in March 2020. They continue to struggle with Explorer numbers but we are hoping that once the COVID restrictions ease and we are back to amber the number of Explorers will start to increase.

The Pandemic had left us with a few less leaders but we have had two new leaders start and we are looking at recruiting more.

We have been developing literature to be sent out to 17½ year olds and over Explorers/Young Leaders as a recruitment drive into adult roles. The first of which were sent in February to 14 Explorers/Young Leaders with another 14 to be contacted in the coming months.

We have been working tirelessly attempting to centralise the Explorer Units bank accounts. It has proven to be an arduous task with little or no co-operation from the

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banks, however we now see a light at the end of the tunnel and hopefully in the coming months the District will have one account for all Units. The balance for all units is looking healthy, with provision for next year’s membership well in hand. We still have a lot of work to do, and our next task is to tackle the Gift Aid.

For the first time in many years the District Explorer Accounts have been audited and sent to the District Treasurer. We have had several issues with non-payment of subs, but that now appears to be under control. The only outstanding issue now being that several Explorers are still paying the old amount of subs, despite numerous reminders that subs are £26.00 per term and not £22.50.

Ingrid Shaw District Explorer Scout Commissioner

Cathie Wainwright District Explorer Scout Administrator

YOUNG LEADER EXPLORER SCOUTS

It has been a very productive year for the Young Leaders in South West Cheshire. Young Leaders are a great asset to any group. They are very supportive in running the weekly programme and can take a lot of pressure of the leaders.

What a year we have had. When we started the year we already had awarded 2 Young leader Belt Buckles and then Covid 19 came into the world. Well I thought that would be it for your Young Leader Belt Buckles being awarded this year. But I couldn’t have been so wrong. We have awarded 16 Young Leader Belt Buckles to our Young Leaders this year in South West Cheshire. To gain this award they have had to complete all module courses 6 evenings in total attend a first aid course no less than level 5, complete 4 missions from organizing games to having an input into the colony/pack/section programme and then implementing that programme.

Diane Blurton

Young Leader Explorer Scout Leader

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SCOUT NETWORK REPORT

Unfortunately due to the pandemic there haven’t been any Network events in the past year with Network Gathering being cancelled as the first lockdown was announced, just 3 weeks before the event was due to take place. I have made the decision to step down from the DSNC role to focus on Explorers & Gang Show and hopefully someone with a fresh look at Network will be able to restart SWC’s Express Network after the pandemic.

Will Swain

District Scout Network Commissioner

DISTRICT YOUTH FORUM

The start of the pandemic in March 2020 curtailed our plans for the District Youth Forum and other priorities meant we were unable to run any virtual events with the Forum members.

Our District Youth Commissioner, Harriet Faulkner, has reached the end of her term and we will now start the process of recruiting her replacement. Harriet will be stepping down when we have recruited a new DYC and I would like to thank Harriet for her work in establishing the role of DYC in the District and wish her well in her next Scouting role.

Ian Potts District Commissioner

ACTIVITIES REPORT

2020 started off with a certain amount of nervousness – though this was primarily directed at the plans for a completely re-vamped Cheshire Hike (which were filtering out rather late and with many questions un-answered). Nevertheless, January and February saw plenty of Scouts out and about with maps and rucksacks, eager to be the first to take part in the new-look event.

A few of the braver ones even managed to get several Nights Away camping.

And then it all stopped! Hopes of running Swympic and a District Hike remained, but gradually dwindled as the days grew longer and eventually, we had to admit defeat.

Congratulations to the Groups and leaders who managed to keep their Young People active via a mixture of rapidly learnt Zoom skills and encouragement to complete nights camping in their gardens, meals cooked on open fires, hikes with their families and other Scouting skills, whilst still keeping to the ‘rules’.

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The rather daunting Covid Risk Assessment process unfortunately put off many from attempting to re-start face-to-face meetings – but those who achieved it were rewarded by the return of enthusiastic youngsters who were so keen to get outside and enjoy traditional activities.

I had intended to trial a number of activities with small numbers from my own Troop before rolling them out to the rest of SW Cheshire – during August we attempted Wild Swimming, cycling, hiking and kayaking and all did prove possible with adequate social distancing. Unfortunately, the additional Risk Assessment ‘hoops’ that needed to be jumped through to get the go-ahead for District run activities took longer than anticipated and by the time they were fully approved it was too late in the year for water-based events and the 2nd lockdown put paid to the rest.

In 2021, whilst lockdown restrictions remain in place, we hope to run some Activity Badge training sessions via Zoom, whilst encouraging Scouts to complete the practical outdoor parts with their families. Risk Assessments for more traditional Scout activities are in place and we are in a good position to resume events just as soon as the rules allow.

Apart from Covid, the biggest restriction is likely to be the availability of helpers and instructors – if you know of anyone who might be interested in helping occasionally, please put them in touch. Watching our young people gain skills and confidence in the outdoors is truly one of the most rewarding aspects of Scouting.

Rob Galloway ADC (Activities)

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MILLDALE CAMPSITE REPORT

The Covid-19 lockdown was put in place before the camping season got underway, as a consequence the site was not used for any Scouting activities in 2020.

In our report for last year we reported that there were a number of outstanding fees owed by certain groups. These have now all been cleared.

Although the site has been closed for 2020 the camp site service team has continued to maintain the site, naturally observing all Covid-19 rules and social distancing. As a consequence the site is ready to reopen once restrictions are eased.

A number of major projects have been completed including:

Finally I would like to thank everyone who has helped on site during the last, difficult, year and add that additional help will always be welcomed by the service team, especially on Sundays.

Carl Shore

Milldale Campsite Chairman.

SAILING

The Sailing team had planned taster days over two weekends in 2020 but sadly lockdown put paid to those hopes.

As soon as restrictions ease and we are allowed back on the water we hope to run at least three taster sessions in 2021. Details will be circulated as soon as circumstances permit. They will be held at Winsford Flash Sailing Club.

The Sailing Team

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SWIMMING

The District Swimming Club resumed its weekly meetings on Thursday evenings, at Crewe Lifestyle Centre, from the beginning of January 2020.

The number of Cubs and Scouts attending the Club was lower than in previous years, with a number of occasions when the takings of the Club did not cover the cost of hiring the pool.

We had cancelled the Cub and Scout Galas in 2019 due to too few Groups signing up. However, on 16th March 2020 we held a joint Cub and Scout Gala, which proved a great success, even though there were a number of last minute withdrawals due to the changing national circumstances.

The Swimming Club was suspended immediately after the Gala as the Country went into lockdown. Discussions are still to be held to decide when the Swimming Club will resume.

Bob Binner

District Swimming Advisor

CANOEING and KAYAKING.

All Canoeing and Kayaking events were cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions in force throughout 2020.

It is hoped that taster sessions will begin again in 2021 and will be available to be booked by Cub, Scout & Explorer groups, on their normal meeting nights. If you are interested in booking a session, please contact Tony Sutton. A priority waiting list is maintained for any group unable to secure one of this year’s sessions.

In addition to group taster sessions, individual skills/badge courses are being planned to run during 2021. If you are a Scout or Explorer Scout and interested in attending a skills course yourself, please contact Robert Galloway in the first instance.

As an adult leader if you are interested in becoming more involved with Canoeing and Kayaking and would like to potentially help with coaching, please contact Rob Galloway.

Tony Sutton

District Canoeing Advisor

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SHOOTING

The district shooting activity team had planned a varied programme in 2020 with over 50 sessions booked for the first 6 month of the year offering shooting activities for cubs, scouts, and explorers at Milldale and further afield as well as leader training.

Some sessions were held in January, February, and the start of March both at Milldale and further afield training at Mersey Weaver and Holmes Chapel.

Then Covid -19 closed scouting as well as most of the country. When the situation eased in late summer, we started to look at the possibility of running sessions but found to comply with all the different rules in place would make this exceedingly difficult, but then 2nd and 3rd lockdowns were introduced.

Some new equipment was purchased at the start of the year, and the infrastructure is still in place for when the new normal allows the activity to take place in a safe and enjoyable manner.

We foresee difficulties in the future with fewer young people wishing to carry on or take up the activity after such a long break and also the difficulty that will be presented by leaders and helpers moving to different activities away from scouts and shooting.

Andrew Brookes District Shooting Advisor

SCOUT & GUIDE SHOP REPORT

The Scout and Guide Shop was unable to open for long periods during 2020 due to the pandemic and therefore our income was significantly reduced. Turnover in 2020 was down by over two thirds and as a result the shop returned a loss on the year.

On the positive side the shop was able to take orders for badges via email which ensured that some sales did continue and that groups were able to purchase badges earned by their young people. This would not have been possible without the efforts of Andrew Whalley and Rosemary Schofield who put the orders together and attended the shop for orders to be collected.

The pandemic has focused our thoughts on how the shop will run in the future and if you would like to join the small but dedicated team of Scouting and Guiding volunteers who continue to ensure that the shop is successful, I know you would be welcomed.

Ian Potts District Commissioner

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DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS REPORT

My report last year ended with a quote from our Founder, Lord Baden Powell: ‘Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.’

Our experiences during 2020 may have made looking on the bright side a difficult thing to do for many people. However, despite the challenges Scouting faced in 2020 there have been plenty of examples of our Leaders and Young People making ‘the best of it’.

We have risen to the challenge of running meetings on-line, learned that Zooming isn’t just a description of a group of Beavers running around a field and found out that Teams are not just what we split groups of Scouts into to play a wide game. I have been impressed by the range of activities that groups across the District have been able to run on-line, the imagination that has gone into devising new ways to achieve badges and the number of different ways that have been found to continue to deliver Scouting when we have not been able to meet face to face. From ‘Bob’s Badges’ and OSM’s Badges Online to virtual camps and Zoom meetings Leaders have covered the A to Z of how to deliver Scouting in 2020.

As a District our priorities had to change in mid-March and we had to find ways to respond to the challenges of running Scouting virtually, the issue of buildings being locked up and empty for long periods and the financial impacts posed by reduced income. With monthly District Executive Committee, GSL and ADC meetings we rose to these challenges, sharing ideas and best practice and taking advantage of support from outside Scouting where it was available. Planned activities and events were postponed and then cancelled, including the Gang Show and Eurojam, and eventually thoughts turned to how to return to face to face Scouting safely. Just as we were starting to get back to face to face Scouting, with the appropriate adjustments and Risk Assessments in place, we were then hit with a further Covid lockdown and had to return to virtual Scouting.

Unfortunately, one of the consequences of the changes to the delivery of Scouting has been a reduction in the number of members, especially young people, many of whom have found that spending time on Zoom school lessons followed by a Zoom Scout meeting has not been enjoyable. However, one thing I am confident of is that if we can rise to the challenges 2020 presented us, we can bounce back in 2021 and beyond.

The number of people across the District who deserve thanks for their efforts over the last 12 months are too numerous to mention here but I would particularly like to thank our District Secretary, John Bennett, for his hard work and support.

22

Our founder once said ‘A week of camp life is worth six months of theoretical teaching in the meeting room’. Having personally run just one face to face meeting between March and December last year this could be re-phrased as ‘An hours face to face Scout meeting is worth six months of Zoom meetings’.

Ian Potts District Commissioner

23

South West Cheshlre Dlstrlct Scout Couneil Recelpts and Payments Account Forth• y•¥fr• 01m1r2020 311121202 Receipts and payments 2020 2019 Remlpts Donatjonj, le4Tachs $lmlEar Income Membwthip subsolplk)ns Le85.' Metrbership sub5￿pt￿B pJ (NabcffidlCtsJntylA￿a Itktrhjll N¢trnembw8Np Sub￿￿10￿5 r8tsh¢d N￿￿ork £62,924 £50,875 £12,Q49 £0 £6fjASfj £48.813 £11,644 £0 Scout Shop t7.$00 £7AOO Sub totsl AeUvlllg £13 t2A29 £98 Cubs Scouts £2,939 £4.537 £610 9￿MMing DL￿tr￿t￿nIS. a¢tth, tranlng and camp Sub tot•[ £1,336 £340 £1,805 £0 Fundrn181ng (gr￿$) Wortd S￿uts￿￿ Jamborea Eurolwn Otherfundrakng aGt £1,748 £11.354 £14At4 £6.780 £250 £1,090 Sub totsl OtheT r•ulpts Buskn858 grants Empfykng Maknybsnkacwunt 3 SWC thore or DL8trict 5toro hsuraAce F￿￿nts$ ESU rwmburng D1str1ctfor remp8￿￿￿)I m￿nte￿anGe £11.334 £4.166 £195 £fjoo £29 Gang Show Loan r8paKJ by MaNoryESU Lo8n repald by 3 SWC UnK1ent￿￿d depo .000 £l.q45 £3.000 £3.517 $ub to1•1 Invgstsn•ntln¢om• Bank Internyt £372 £353 Sub talql roW Gross hJc¢Jm• Ass•t •nd Invesbn¢nt sales. •tr. £0 £0 I LT701Wd11&tthy 20171

South West Cheshlre Dlstrfct Scout Council Re¢•lpts and Payments Account FOrtheY￿rfroM 01MJ112020 31112121J20 Receipts and payments 202 2019 Actlvfdes Beavers Cub$ S¢auts £2J78 £160 £1409 £4217 Eo £919 £410 £452 £2.73 £57 Young 1¢oderg Lead Dth￿t youlh forum Dirkl 饕nts, Mes. trahhg 8nd camps Svthrning C￿b £0 £380 £1￿90 Sub toiil Dlstslct runnlng ¢o$ts Waler4Dd Sewardge Ewlctyand Gas In8uran Repars an¢ Renew AGM and trustse expenses Legal Exp¢n$es CVS Lkence PLC lfllm M¢eneel Radb Ll¢ancg Lollerylcenc8 MIF W¢bsit¢s FkstAid Di¥trf¢tsho £196 £577 £9,3S7 £387 £269 £209 £1,741 £7,505 £3.345 £423 £45 £45 £668 £7S £20 £138 £20 £136 £451 £300 £412 Sub totsl Ex¢•pWonal •xpen&eÈ Loan Its F￿nDe$ ESU Pa￿g flennes ESLI'5 rent R81mburslng Maw ESU bank a¢¢tsunt pro¢¢ed$ Gang Show Shop stock Paym8nts on behaifof Dlstslct shop PPE £300 £61JQ £4.166 £Z,350 £1,000 £474 £2,577 £362 Sub total FundraL4lng Ex Dbtrtbutsd ptD¢a¢ds Offunllw￿g Eurojam Worfd Scou nsos £0 £3.697 £18.620 £8 £12,777 £3.000 £800 Jambor instament5 Sub toll A68•t •nd 1Th¥oatmènt purchase& •ts. £0 £0 T0(alp8Ym￿ts Net ofre¢{p8ymentsJ Cèsh funda lgatyw È87.701 £78,449 2 Lf10000211stJuary 20171 Cash tI￿S y•8r•ml

Activity Accounts 8•¢don R•c•ipts Paym¢nts £23.087 £5,449 £2,058 £0 Op•nlhO balancfr Clo8lJw blrrwi £38.358i £12.4711 t742 £16.709 £12,479 £1 £44.736 £5.441 £2,799 £4.556 £5,684 £20.832 £3,363 E4)br•rs Canoe and Kaydk 'SaUiTrg Shooting s￿)utShop Gang Show £0 £4556 £2,935 £16,717 £4.332 £9,023 £13.042 £5,643 £11,n3 £17.157 £4,673 Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the year 3111¥2020 3111212019 Ca$h fvnds RBS eumtaccount £51,208 £46,832 £201 £41,039 £46.460 NS&I In4E5knantaccount The ScouiAssodatk)n ChatyDspo8liA¢¢thJnt Totsl ¢o$h fund$ £201 14on mon•tary a$sets for ¢ha•W• own Ilnur•d wAIu¢81 Land btslldlng5 £350.517 £25.950 r15219 £56,716 £266.533 £25.950 £65.681 £56.716 Scourkng BqUty)rrwt. furnknre etc Marfne Sub Llobllld¢s A£¢ounts notypt pah £1,384 Th• )l)m I•￿1p￿ and paymnts t¥t•mgnt Itbllltl88 ww• •pprov•d byth• Trystee8 on 1 MJrGh 2021 (th8 dot• of Ih• Exo¢ullv• Cmrnlttr• meetkng th•t •ppMv•d the a¢￿￿￿ts) and $lgDed IM thelr behlf by 8lurè Prfrt Namè Chatr 3 LTY00￿2[15tJonUWY?ol7I

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR EN￿lA￿) AND WAIES Independent examinerfs report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report R•port to the trustoMI m•mb•rn of cr.aifly N3•1e so¢2n4 whzgf CAÉ5141rtft OiThi¢f On account• for the y••r •nd•d 31sf Charlty no (rf any) S•t out on pag I re￿ to the trustees on my examinatson of the accounts of the above Charity (1￿ Trusf) for the year ended R•8pon•lbllltl•• and bas18 of report As the chanvs trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accourrts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 20111"the I report in re8ped of my examination of the Trust'8 account3 carned out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in Carying out my examination. I have followed all the applicable Directs'ons given by the Charity Commission under section 145{5){b) of the Act. Independent trhe charity's gross income exceeded £250.O¢XI and l am qual¢fied lo •xamln•rf8 8tatem•nt undertake the eXaMinat￿n by being a qualrfied member of [insert name of applicable listed body]] Delete [ l rfnol applKable. I have ccmnpleted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection the examination (other than that disd08ed below ') whth gives me cause to believe thal in. any material the acc4)unting record8 fre not kept in accordance wtth sedion 130 of the Charities Act.. or th8 accounts did not accord wth the accounting re¢ofds'. or the accounts did not comply with Ihe applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair. v￿W which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concems and have ￿rne across no ott￿r matters in connedit)n wrth the examination to which attention should te drawn in this report in order to enable a woper.understanding of the accounts to be reached. ' Pkiase delete the wc¥ds in the brackets rf they do not 9ppIy Slgnod: Date: Name: Relevant professional quallficationls) or Ixxly IER IC14iz Oct 2018

{11 any): Addr•u: WI wiv Section B Disclosure Only COM￿ete rf the examiner needs io honiigm matenal matters ot concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. dire¢bons and guidance for examiners). Glve h•re brlef d•tsll• of any It•m8 that th• oxamln•r wlsho• to dl•cloM. IER Oct 2018